PELOSOMA. 109 
a very distinct species: the raised lines on the metasternum distinguish it from all the 
species of Cercyon here described, except C. subsignatus and C. armatus; and from these 
the slight elevation of the prosternal carina and the well-marked striation of the elytra 
render it very distinct. 
PELOSOMA. 
Pelosoma, Mulsant, Col. Fr. Palp. p. 184. 
Cercyon, pars, auct. plur. 
This genus is closely allied to Cercyon, and indeed has not yet been accepted by 
entomologists generally. It has consisted hitherto of a single species, falsely supposed 
to be European, a second species, however, having been indicated by Leconte as 
pertaining to it. I find the characters by which it is distinguished from Cercyon to be 
quite constant in the series of Central-American species here enumerated, and I think 
therefore the genus will prove a good one. It is probable that it is specially charac- 
teristic of the Tropical-American fauna; and in that case it is likely that Leconte’s 
South-Californian species (if it really belong to the genus, as to which I am very 
doubtful) will prove to extend its habitat southwards beyond California. 
1. Pelosoma lafertei. (Tab. III. fig. 14.) 
Pelosoma lafertei, Muls. Col. Fr. Palp. p. 185°. 
Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guaremata, Guatemala city, San Gerénimo 3000 
feet, Zapote, San Joaquin, Chacoj, Capetillo (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales 
(Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion). — Soutu 
America, Bahia (Castelnau); Europe, Central France (Laferté)}. 
Although this species was described from an individual taken, or believed to have 
been taken, in Central France, yet I believe it is not a European insect; and I feel 
sure that the error arose from a mistake made by Laferté when he communicated his 
collection to Mulsant.. The species has not been taken again in France, and is not 
included in Bedel’s recent Synopsis of the Cercyons of France. Mulsant’s type from 
Laferté’s collection is now in my possession; and I cannot separate it specifically from 
the Tropical-American specimens. The species is apparently a very common one, and 
varies somewhat in the minor details of size, form, colour, and sculpture ; and thus, 
though I have not seen a second specimen agreeing exactly with Mulsant’s type, I 
believe it to be undoubtedly conspecific with the South-American individuals, from 
some of which it differs only by very minute and unimportant details. 
2. Pelosoma sordidum. 
Oblongo-ovale, subdepressum, supra nigrum vel rufum, nitidum, subtus picescens, pedibus rufis; tarsis anten- 
narumque basi testaceis, harum clava obscuriore ; fortiter punctatum ; elytris equaliter striatis, striis ad 
apicem parum profundioribus, sed internis haud subtilioribus. 
1 3 ]j 
Long. 14, lat. 2 lin. 
